VPD officer punches man in face

[DarthNinja]

How can you issue a ticket without ID. If that were the case than Joe Schlabotnik would have a few warrants out for his arrest.

[Gross-Misconduct]

I wonder if everyone so shocked about this cop would refuse his help if he was first on scene to assist them if they needed help.

[-DLC-]

That's totally irrelevant GM...so that means he can do no wrong? I wouldn't refuse his help because he's paid to do his job...with that, doesn't put him in a position of immunity against criticism or accountability.

[-DLC-]

How can you issue a ticket without ID. If that were the case than Joe Schlabotnik would have a few warrants out for his arrest.

You ask the person's information. And, if they decide to commit an offence and give false information there's not really anything you can do about that. But what if he didn't have a wallet (like me when I ride)....then what? You didn't answer that.

[Gross-Misconduct]

That's totally irrelevant GM...so that means he can do no wrong? I wouldn't refuse his help because he's paid to do his job...with that, doesn't put him in a position of immunity against criticism or accountability.

[Duodenum]

The guy was making it a bit difficult to put the cuffs on but it did NOT warrant a punch to the face.

[Gurn]

"Its not irrelevant. I dont condone his actions but Im also not too worried about a police officer giving what amounts to a little punch to the head of someone who is being arrested. "

As a guy who has had a concussion, or three, I'd advise you not to underestimate a shot to somebodies head. Especially when the guy didn't know it was coming.

[JoeyJoeJoeJr. Shabadoo]

You ask the person's information. And, if they decide to commit an offence and give false information there's not really anything you can do about that. But what if he didn't have a wallet (like me when I ride)....then what? You didn't answer that.

[doobie]

new information

The Vancouver police officer under investigation for punching a cyclist in the face was recognized five years ago by British Transit police for bravely apprehending a violent mentally-ill man on London’s tube.

London-born Ismail Bhabha joined the VPD in 2008, the same year he received an award of excellence from the British Transport Police Federation for coming to the rescue of woman and her daughter being harassed by a mentally ill man.

The incident happened in March 2007 at King’s Cross Station when Bhabha, off duty at the time, confronted the man and was bitten in the cheek during the ensuing struggle. The man was eventually restrained with the help of five other officers and Bhabha was taken to hospital, where he had surgery to repair a wound to his face.

At his assailant’s trial, the judge reportedly praised Bhabha for preventing “serious injuries to other people and members of the public.”

The Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner is now overseeing an investigation into the events that led up to Bhabha punching cyclist Andishae Akhavan in the face during an arrest captured on video in Yaletown Tuesday night.

In the video, which rapidly spread to thousands of users on Facebook, the officer is seen punching Akhavan – a concert promoter and DJ – once in the jaw from behind while he is being handcuffed.

Bhabha reported the incident to his supervisor, who reported it to the VPD’s Professional Standards Section who, in turn, notified the OPCC Wednesday.

OPCC spokesman Rollie Woods said the VPD advised the commissioner that the department was investigating the officer’s conduct, including searching for additional video evidence that shows what happened before Akhavan was arrested. Legislation allows up to six months for the investigation, though Woods said he hoped it would not take that long, given the high level of public interest in the case.

He noted that by mid-morning Thursday, the OPCC had received more than 10 complaints from the public about the video. Police union president Tom Stamatakis told CKNW Thursday that a punch can be considered an appropriate use of force. He said there is probably more to the story than the video shows because it is unlikely that someone would be arrested just for running through a red light or not wearing a helmet.

But Michael Vonn, policy director for the BC Civil Liberties Association, was “alarmed” by the use of violence.

“While police have the power to use reasonable force, if needed, in carrying out their duties, the video leads to questions as to whether this punch was an unnecessary and violent overreaction,” said Vonn.

As he is being handcuffed, Akhavan can be heard asking the officer, “What is this for?” He appears to move and then the officer punches him in the face. Then Akhavan’s friend Mike Schwarz, who filmed the punch with his cellphone, can be heard saying “What the hell was that?”

Bhabha then asks Schwarz to move aside and not interfere with his work.

Schwarz said the officer got more aggressive just before he began filming the incident.

Fincham said Akhavan was treated at the scene for a cut lip by firefighters and released on a promise to appear pending approval of a charge of obstructing a police officer.

A VPD supervisor arrived after the incident was captured on video and nixed his $109 headlight ticket and $29 helmet ticket, Akhavan said. He still has to pay the $167 ticket for running a red light, Akhavan said.

Social media sites on Thursday were buzzing with messages of both outrage and support for the officer.

Schwarz, founder of the popular nightlife website Clubzone, uploaded his video to Facebook Wednesday afternoon and within several hours more than 1,000 users had commented. The vast majority of commenters castigated what they saw as the officer’s heavy-handed tactics, some in profanity-laced rants.

[Dral]

The cops are just choked they got their tazers taken away. A punch in the face is now the only way they know how to express themselves.

[JoeyJoeJoeJr. Shabadoo]

Any relation to you?

[McMillan]

I can't believe how many of you are defending the cop. Are you kidding me? This is clearly assault. How would you like to get arrested for some silly reason such as jay walking and maybe he thought you gave him the stink eye so decides to put you in cuffs, your arm jerks and wham! You're sucker punched in the face. I couldn't care less what happened prior to this because there was no excuse for punching him. It's the equivalent to taking him out back when no one is looking and laying a beat down because you didn't like what was said. It's assault. He should lose his badge. I'm sick of having power hungry canons out there serving as police officers. It's time to clean house of our corrupt forces.

[Hyzer]

Unfair, IMO.

[Lidstrom]

The sad thing is, if it wasn't video recorded, the officer would still be working the streets and the complaint thrown in the garbage

[nucklehead]

new information

The Vancouver police officer under investigation for punching a cyclist in the face was recognized five years ago by British Transit police for bravely apprehending a violent mentally-ill man on London’s tube.

London-born Ismail Bhabha joined the VPD in 2008, the same year he received an award of excellence from the British Transport Police Federation for coming to the rescue of woman and her daughter being harassed by a mentally ill man.

The incident happened in March 2007 at King’s Cross Station when Bhabha, off duty at the time, confronted the man and was bitten in the cheek during the ensuing struggle. The man was eventually restrained with the help of five other officers and Bhabha was taken to hospital, where he had surgery to repair a wound to his face.

At his assailant’s trial, the judge reportedly praised Bhabha for preventing “serious injuries to other people and members of the public.”

The Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner is now overseeing an investigation into the events that led up to Bhabha punching cyclist Andishae Akhavan in the face during an arrest captured on video in Yaletown Tuesday night.

In the video, which rapidly spread to thousands of users on Facebook, the officer is seen punching Akhavan – a concert promoter and DJ – once in the jaw from behind while he is being handcuffed.

Bhabha reported the incident to his supervisor, who reported it to the VPD’s Professional Standards Section who, in turn, notified the OPCC Wednesday.

OPCC spokesman Rollie Woods said the VPD advised the commissioner that the department was investigating the officer’s conduct, including searching for additional video evidence that shows what happened before Akhavan was arrested. Legislation allows up to six months for the investigation, though Woods said he hoped it would not take that long, given the high level of public interest in the case.

He noted that by mid-morning Thursday, the OPCC had received more than 10 complaints from the public about the video. Police union president Tom Stamatakis told CKNW Thursday that a punch can be considered an appropriate use of force. He said there is probably more to the story than the video shows because it is unlikely that someone would be arrested just for running through a red light or not wearing a helmet.

But Michael Vonn, policy director for the BC Civil Liberties Association, was “alarmed” by the use of violence.

“While police have the power to use reasonable force, if needed, in carrying out their duties, the video leads to questions as to whether this punch was an unnecessary and violent overreaction,” said Vonn.

As he is being handcuffed, Akhavan can be heard asking the officer, “What is this for?” He appears to move and then the officer punches him in the face. Then Akhavan’s friend Mike Schwarz, who filmed the punch with his cellphone, can be heard saying “What the hell was that?”

Bhabha then asks Schwarz to move aside and not interfere with his work.

Schwarz said the officer got more aggressive just before he began filming the incident.

Fincham said Akhavan was treated at the scene for a cut lip by firefighters and released on a promise to appear pending approval of a charge of obstructing a police officer.

A VPD supervisor arrived after the incident was captured on video and nixed his $109 headlight ticket and $29 helmet ticket, Akhavan said. He still has to pay the $167 ticket for running a red light, Akhavan said.

Social media sites on Thursday were buzzing with messages of both outrage and support for the officer.

Schwarz, founder of the popular nightlife website Clubzone, uploaded his video to Facebook Wednesday afternoon and within several hours more than 1,000 users had commented. The vast majority of commenters castigated what they saw as the officer’s heavy-handed tactics, some in profanity-laced rants.

[-DLC-]

I imagine they would hold you until they could confirm your identity, depending on the severity, and/or whether the cop wanted to be a jerk or not.

Actually, I don`t think so:

60F. A police officer may arrest without warrant any bicyclist whom the officer finds committing a breach of any provision of this by-law if such person fails to stop and state his or her proper name and address when so requested by the police officer

There is nothing about showing ID or confirming your identity...I believe it`s based on the fact that most people appreciate that it`s fraudulent to give false information and would, therefore, comply with this. But there is nothing that includes having to show identification/verification. Remember, these are bike riding infractions...the guy didn't rob a bank here.

Now, maybe before this video he did refuse to stop/do so but it still doesn't warrant a punch in the head. Haul him in if that's the process. There is absolutely no way we should ever support this type of brutality. What is so hard to understand about the fact that police should represent how to remain within the law when handling situations, not stray outside it by punching or beating people? Police officers are not above the law, they represent it.

And to the comment above....it's great that he intervened in a dangerous situation during that incident but he also needs to be able to differentiate and not jump the gun so to say. Perhaps the after effects have stuck with him and he's now treating every day infractions more severely than called for? Expecting everyone to react by biting him? But that's rather unfair to those simply out for a bike ride who blow through a light...those are his issues and they shouldn't carry over. That's what I take out of this.

[Electro Rock]

I wonder if everyone so shocked about this cop would refuse his help if he was first on scene to assist them if they needed help.

[JoeyJoeJoeJr. Shabadoo]

Actually, I don`t think so:

60F. A police officer may arrest without warrant any bicyclist whom the officer finds committing a breach of any provision of this by-law if such person fails to stop and state his or her proper name and address when so requested by the police officer

There is nothing about showing ID or confirming your identity...I believe it`s based on the fact that most people appreciate that it`s fraudulent to give false information and would, therefore, comply with this. But there is nothing that includes having to show identification/verification. Remember, these are bike riding infractions...the guy didn't rob a bank here.

Now, maybe before this video he did refuse to stop/do so but it still doesn't warrant a punch in the head. Haul him in if that's the process. There is absolutely no way we should ever support this type of brutality. What is so hard to understand about the fact that police should represent how to remain within the law when handling situations, not stray outside it by punching or beating people? Police officers are not above the law, they represent it.

And to the comment above....it's great that he intervened in a dangerous situation during that incident but he also needs to be able to differentiate and not jump the gun so to say. Perhaps the after effects have stuck with him and he's now treating every day infractions more severely than called for? Expecting everyone to react by biting him? But that's rather unfair to those simply out for a bike ride who blow through a light...those are his issues and they shouldn't carry over. That's what I take out of this.

[Dellins]

Doesn't surprise me. He seems quite professional and effective at his job. I for one am thankful for dedicated officers like this. He's a stand up guy doing a first rate job most of wouldn't or couldn't.

[Wetcoaster]

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